Maximum demand meter recording system



Jan. 30, 1951 P. HEYNISCH 2,539,835

MAXIMUM DEMAND METER RECORDING SYSTEM Filed May 15, 1947 INVEIYTOR. Pau] Hela/mods Patented Jan. 30, 1951 VUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAXIMUM DEMAND METER RECRDING SYSTEM Paul Heyniscli, Zug, Switzerland, assigner to Landis & Gyr, A-G., Zug,- Switzerland, a cor--l porate body of Switzerland Application May 15, 1947, Serial No. 748,273'

4 Claims.

be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

, The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of the invention, vand together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my copending application Serial Number 466,141 filed November 19, 1942, now abandoned.

` The known maximum demand meters used for ascertaining the peak demand, particularly of electric generating plants, are usually provided with a pusher, driven by a meter disc, for a maximum pointer with or without recording or printing mechanism, and this pointer or the correspending recording or printing mechanism is released for a short while from the counter at regular intervals (recording periods) of say `fifteen minutes through the medium lof a timing elenient, in order to return the pointer to its initial position for recoupling.

With common maximum demand meters, the peak demand mean value for each recording period which occurred within a reading or valuation period, say one month, can only be read on the maximum device, as such meters are merelyv indicating instruments which have to be read and noted on the site by a meter reader after every billing period, and he then pushes the pointer back to zero by hand. With the recording or printing maximum demand meters the mean value of the load during each single recording period is usually marked on a tape or paper roll or the like in the form of a line and/or figure. This recording tape generally has to be changed every month or so. In contrast to the usual peak demand recorders, reading need not take place where the meter is located, but the recording tape containing all the necessary data can be scrutinized or valuated anywhere and at any time.

The usual peak demand meter or maximum counter is undoubtedly cheap, but comparatively imperfect, whereas the recording or printing maximum demand meter which practically answers any requirements, is expensive.

The present invention relates to a practical solution of the dem-and measuring problem with regard to requirements imposed thereon and price, and is intermediate the two kinds Ijust mentioned, the meter hereinafter described being provided which prints the 4value of the respective peak point on a tape or similar device imme-A diately prior to the resetting of the maximum pointer, in conjunction with a time-controlled device automatically working the maximum pointer back to zero after expiration oi its reading or valuation period from the highest point reached within this period.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown in Figure 1 ior the purposes of illustration onlyA one diagrammatic embodiment of the invention, and Figures 2 and 3 show details thereof.

Figure 4 is a showing of a sample record as -4 produced bythe device of the invention.

rlhe meter armature or driving disc ID of the A, meter `is conventionally connected, by means of gearing I I and a pinion I2, with the counting mechanism 89 indicating the total consumption.

The driving disc is also connected through pinion I2 with a pusher I3 which advances a maximum indicator I4, and the pusher is periodically disengageable ltrom the driving disc by acting of the time element I5. The periodical disengagement takes place by means of a precision tooled cam I 6 which is rotated by the synchronous motor I5 through the gearing Il, and the -cam periodically pivots to the right a bent lever I8 Which lifts the right end of the tiltable ,shaft I8, so that thev pinion 2li is disengaged from 'the gear 2I through which pusher I3 is driven. The pusher lI3 re..-

turns to its initial position against stop 2,Z

through the expanding action of the spiral spring 23. The disengagement is time@ to tage vpiace at the end of a period of registration o f, vfor exam.-V ple, 1,5 minutes.

The maximum pointer I# indicating the peak 3 demand is rigidly connected with the wheel 24 mounted fri-ction-tight on its stationary axis and has an arm 25 which projects into the path of pusher I3.

With the synchronous motor l whichserves as the time element there is connected also the gearing 26, which continuously drives on the one hand a gear 2l' and on the other hand a gear 28 carrying a precision tooled cam 29, and a gear 30. The lever 3| bears against the cam 29 and is rigidly connected to a coupling arm 32, which latter is biased by the spring 33 to press lever 3| against the cam. Said arm 32 carries at its free end the gear 34, which is continuously engaged with the gear 35 and is engaged with the gear 30 only when the lever 3| drops into a low place of the cam 29. As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, this arrangement causes a pusher 36 to be turned, in the path of which there projects a second arm 31 of the maximum indicator iii. When at rest the pusher 36 lies against the stop 33. The gear ratio between the cam gear 28 and the synchronous motor |5 is such that the pusher 36 turns the maximum indicator I4, by means of the arm 36, into Zero position (position of indicator itl shown in dotted lines) only at the end of a reading or evaluating period, and thus performs the work which the operator would otherwise have to do by hand at the end of a reading peroid.

Immediately prior to the .resetting of maximum pointer ill bypusher 36 after a reading or valuation period, the maximum value corresponding to the maximum deilection of the pointer during such averaging period is printed on a tape of paper or the like.

The printing mechanism consists essentially of a recording face 49 made of paper or other material suitable for printing arranged on a winding roll 4|, whereby said face or tape is drawn between a set of numbered type wheels 42 and a hammer-shaped printing platen 43.

vThe printing mechanism is connected to the maximum train as follows: The maximum pointer |4 is coupled through the wheel 2li with the sun wheel 44 of a differential gear assembly, the second sun Wheel 55 being connected with the set of type wheels 42 by means of a driving Wheel 45, through gear i8 connected to gear 45, said gears being freely rotatable on shaft 49. Mounted on the axis 49 of the planetary Vwheel 4l is a cam disc 50, shown in detail in Figure 2. This cam disc cooperates with the Contact arm 5| which, together with the other contact part 52, can close the circuit of an electro-magnet 53. On the shaft 55 which supports the driving wheel 4S there isl arranged another wheel 54 geared to a clutch wheel 55, the axis 5l thereof being connected to the armature 58 of the electro-magnet 53. The wheel 5B meshes permanently with the toothed Wheel 54 on shaft 55 and can be coupled periodically with the wheel 21 which is driven by the synchronous motor l5. The cam disc 59 is precision tooled and is provided with a notch or recess 59 so designed that upon its rotation, in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow thereon in Figure 2, projection 69 engages the contact arm 5|, whereas upon rotation of the cam discin the opposite direction in the direction of the solid arrow the contact armV 5| can run freely on the periphery of the disc 59. Cam 59 is so adjusted with respect to cam 29 that the type wheels 42 will act before magnet 'l2 is actuated. Thus, the setting of the type wheels will occur before the printing operationv takes place. This 4 sequence is further facilitated by a proper spacing between gears 56 and 27|.

The feed device for the recording tape involves the following parts: The rigidity built-in winding up-and-oi roll l is connected through pawl 6| and ratchet wheel t2 on gear 63, through gears 64 and 55, the latter carrying pawl 66, with the ratchet wheel 6? and wheel 35 freely secured to shaft 63 which in turn connects the synchronous motor l5 with the reset pusher 3B. A collar 3| is located at the right side of the gear 35 and is rigidly secured to the shaft 58 as shown in Figure 3. The disc 9i) is a star shaped frictional disc having its arms 92 press against the left side of the gear 35. The action of this disc causes a frictional engagement to take place against the hub of the ratchet wheel El. A similar reaction takes place between the collar 9| and the other face of gear 35. This friction coupling between the gear 55 and the ratchet Wheel 6l prevents the motor l5 from being locked while setting back pointer Ui. The wheel 55 carrying the pawl 65 arranged to be engaged by wheel 6l' rides freely on the axis 53. In the illustrated form of embodiment the paper tape i9 hangs between the type wheels d2 and the hammer-platen 43 the end riding in a guide 'it in which it is vertically arranged at a short distance from the circumference of the type wheels d2. The paper tapes, which are supplied loose, are tapered at their top end, so that they can be inserted into a corresponding slot on the roll and wound thereon. If the tape is short enough it gets a loop at its bottom end through which a rod can be passedto serve as guide and weight. The hammer 43 is pivotally supported on the top of the guide 10 and is connected to an armature 'll cooperating with the electro-magnet l2. The latter receives an appfcpriate impulse of current by means of v a switch i3 which is actuated by an arm fastened to the member connecting arms 3| and 32, at the beginning of the resetting motion of the pusher 36. The shaft 63 of the driver .'35 is turned back against the stop 38 by means of a coiled springv 8i). The gear 5| is carried loose on the shaft 68, and the gear 82 engaging with it is carried loose on the shaft 55. The latter serves to drive the rst type wheel 83, which is reserved for theregistration of the date.

In order to make clear the action of the device according to the invention it is presumed thatfrom the position shown in Figure 1 the countingV train pusher |3 carries the maximum pointer from the shown scale position llo to position |8l'ly in the direction of the solid line, and the reset pusher 36 is at this time in its reset position against stop 38.

Together with the pointer i4, the gear 24 which is rigidly connected therewith is moved simulta-v neously. The latter gear turns the sun wheel 44 while the type wheels i2 and therefore also thesun wheel 45 are stationary. The consequence is .that the planet wheel 4l' and the cam 5i] movein the direction indicated by the arrow drawn in solid line, whereby the contact 5|, 52 is closed.- The magnet coil 53 attracts its armature 58 and 'Y switches the gear 55 and shaft 55 respectively wheel drive 15.6 is connected to the motor l5 by means of the members 53, 58, the type wheels 42 are thereby switched forward in accordance with the movement of the maximum pointer 4, and the numbers of the type wheels opposite to the paper web 40 thus indicate ,a value ycorresponding lto that which the maximum pointer shows at the'corresponding moment.

In connecting the shaft 55 to the motor the sun wheel 45 4of the differential now rotates also, namely in the `direction vof the arrow ,drawn in dotted line on cam 56. rThe consequence of this is that the cam 56 -is now turned back kuntil contact 5I, 52 is opened again. The device described has the character of a trailing arrangement.

Moving back the maximum pointer I4 to its position against stop 22 at the end of a reading or evaluation period is started by the dropping of lever 3I into the notch of the cam 29. In the firstl place zthis causes the switch 13 to be closed for a brief period .and the magnet 12 to be energized, with Vthe result that when the armature 1 I is attracted the hammer 43 strikes against the registration strip 40 pressing the latter against the type wheel 42. The coupling .lever 32 is swung around together with the lever 3l, and the gear 34 is thus connected -to gear 3c driven by motor I5 which drives it continuously. Thereby the ratchet wheelk 61 is turned in the direction of the arrow shown .in dotted line on the gear 65, consequently carrying along, by means of the pawl 16,6, the .gear 65 in the same arrow direction. This operates the paper feed by means of the gears 64, 63 and the ratchet wheel 62. The hub of ratchet wheel 61 and gear 35 being rigidly connected to the shaft 68, the rotation of said gears also carries along the shaft 68, in opposition to the action of the spring 80. The shaft 648 'begins to move only after the magnet 12 has again been de-energized and the printing operatlon'has taken place already. This results from adjusting the operation of switch 13 and the spacing between gears 34 and 39 such that Switch 1.3 operates before gears 34 and 3i) mesh. Shaft 6,8 now also carries along the ratchet Wheel `86 rigidly arranged 'thereon and the driver 36 in the direction of the arrow shown in dotted line on pointer I4. The driver 36 effects the intended setting back of the maximum pointer I4 to its zero position by pressing against the lug 31. The pusher 36 and switch 13 are so adjusted that the pusher will only press against the lug 31 after the printing operation has occurred and the switch 13 has opened. Furthermore, cams I6 and 29 are adjusted with respect to each other so as to permit the pusher I3 to be released just before pusher 36 presses against the lug 31 of indicating element I4. The spacing of gears 34 and 30 is also an aid in effectuating this sequence. However, the two gears 3| and 82 carried loose on their shafts are simultaneously turned by means of the pawl 81 in the direction of the arrows shown in dotted line on gears 8| and 82. Thereby the date type wheel' 83 is advanced one place by means of the gear 82. In setting back the maximum pointer I4 it should be observed that the gear 24 which is rigidly connected to the pointer, likewise turns in the direction of the arrow drawn in dotted line thereon. 'I'his shifts back the planet wheel 41 of the differential gear, which is to say that the cam 50 has a tendency to turn in the direction shown in dotted line thereon. As this is impossible on account of the catch 60, cam 58 and with it the planet wheel axle 49 stand still during the setting back of the maximum pointer I4, and therefore the sun wheel 45 and also shaft 55 and the driving gear 46 turn in the direction indicated by the arrow drawn in dotted line on wheel 46. The type wheels are now turned back to zero by the driving gear 46.

--Shortly after the driverz36 has' set .back the maximum pointer to zero, lever 3I runs :again outof the notch of ythe Vcam 29, whereby gears 3.0 and 34 disengage again. Under the action of the spring 80, shaft 68 and with it the driver 36 are turned back again until driver 36 strikes the catch 38. The ratchet Wheel 61 and the gears 34 and 35 then run without load, while ygears and 8I stand still because the pawls 66 and r 8:1 are now becoming disengaged.

Upon completion of the printing, the operation is started afresh, i. e., within the new readingor valuation period the type wheels `instand ata-ll times with a value in front of vthe paper path which corresponds to the value indicated bythe maximum pointer. At the end of the vvaluation period, i. e., upon resetting the maximum pointervv the paper feed takes place after printing the cor# responding maximum value. y

The carrier of the records may .also suitablyv consist of some transparent substance such'as Plexiglas and, may have a surface which per-- mits easy erasing the records. If transparent discs or tapes are used as record bearer, this can be preferably arranged behind `an inspection windowfof the meterl in such a way that the rec` ording on the tape and the .interior o f the meter are visible. The main features of the invention are these: Unlike the rknown meters this maximum demand meter does not have to be set to Zero every month by the computer -or official of the works, the reset 'being automatically performed bythe timing element provided (synchronous ,-m0tor, clock .or the like), whereby each time with the return movement of the maximum `pointer the position is marked on a recording 'tape of paper. Contrary to the hitherto Vknown recording maximum meters the recording of the maximum `is established by reading periods (e. g. one month)L and not by registering periods or clock times (e. g. fifteen minutes). The registering period and therewith the corresponding abscissa datum is not found on the recording tape according to this invention. With the reset function per reading or valuation period, according to the inven` tion, a recording tape of some 36 mm. in length suffices for a whole year. The computer need not read the instrument punctually to the end of each reading period as the recording is automatic.

The Whole apparatus is so arranged that it can be built-in in place of the standard maximum counting device and the upper part of the casing is provided with a door for changing the small recording tape.

It will be understood that the embodiment hereinbefore described has been given only by way of example and that the details thereof may be modified without departing beyond the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A maximum demand meter including in combination a maximum demand indicating element, means for operating upon said indicating element periodically to show maximum power consumption during a reading period comprising a plurality of shorter recording periods, a time motor, a differential gear assembly, a cam rotatable in accordance with the relative movement of the gears in said assembly, registering means for showing the maximum power during each said reading period, said indicating element, cam and registering means being interconnected through said differential gear assembly, a nor escasas 7 mally blocked relay circuit actuated by' said cam,

consumption during a reading period comprising a plurality of shorter recording periods, a time motor, a differential gear assembly having sun gears loosely coupled and a planet gear rigidly coupled to a common shaft, a cam rigidly coupled to said shaft and rotatable in accordance with the movement of said planet gear, registering means for showing the maximum power during each, said reading period said indicating element and registering means being connected to respective ones of said sun gears, and a normally blocked ,relay circuit actuated by said cam so as to couple :said registering means to said time motor.

3. A maximum demand meter including in (combination a maximum demand indicating element, means for operating upon said indicating [element periodically to show maximum power consumption during a reading period comprising :a plurality of shorter recording periods, a time motor, a diierential gear assembly having sun gearsv loosely coupled and a planet gear rigidly `coupled to a common shaft, a cam rigidly coupled to said shaft and rotatable in accordance with the movement of said planet gear, said cam being shaped so as to block in one direction any movement from its normal resting position, registering means for showing the maximum power during each said reading period, said indicating means and registering means being connected to respective ones of said sun gears, and a normally blocked relay circuit actuated by said cam so as 8 to couple mechanically said registering means tol said indicating element and said time motor.'

4. A maximum demand meter including in combination a maximum demand indicatingelement, means for operating upon said indicating element periodically to show maximum power consumption during a reading period comprising a plurality of shorter recording periods, registering means for showing the maximum power consumption, a time motor, a cam, a dilerential gear assembly interconnecting said indicating element, registering means and cam, a normally blocked relay circuit actuated by said cam, and rotatable means actuated by said circuit to couple said registering means to said time motor whereby said registering means are moved into a position corresponding to the maximum power,A said rotating means simultaneously 'actingv l on said differential assembly so as to return said cam` to its normal position and recording means for permanently recording the maximum power Ain, dicated on said registering means.

PAUL HEYNISCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

